Rédaction Africa Links 24 with sabcnews.com
Published on 2024-02-02 19:20:16
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is feeling confident after a surprising victory over tournament favorites Morocco on Tuesday. This win has given the team a much-needed boost in morale as they prepare to face Cape Verde in the quarter-finals of the AFCON tournament on Saturday.
Despite their recent success, Broos is adamant that the team will not underestimate Cape Verde. He acknowledges that they will need to perform at their best level, just as they did against Morocco, in order to secure another victory. The last time Bafana Bafana made it to the semi-finals of the AFCON tournament was in 2000, and Broos is determined to motivate the current players to reach that milestone and go even further.
The team has put Tuesday’s impressive 2-0 win over Morocco behind them and is now fully focused on the upcoming match against Cape Verde, with a spot in the semi-finals at stake. Broos believes that their victory over Morocco has given the team the confidence and readiness they need to face the challenge that Cape Verde presents.
He emphasizes, “If you beat tournament favorites like Morocco, it means you played well, and that win has given us the confidence to be ready for tomorrow’s match. We do not underestimate Cape Verde; they have quality, and the players are very disciplined.”
The last time Bafana Bafana reached the semi-finals of the AFCON tournament was 24 years ago, and the current squad is determined to emulate the success of the 2000 team. Broos points out that the performance of the 1996 team serves as motivation for the current players to achieve their goal.
In previous encounters, South Africa and Cape Verde have faced each other five times, with each side winning twice, and one match ending in a draw. Cape Verde emerged victorious in their last two meetings in 2017, which were FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the 2018 tournament. However, Cape Verde’s coach, Pedro Bito, acknowledges that the current Bafana Bafana team is different and expects a tough match.
Bito states, “We do not dwell on our past victory over South Africa. We are fully focused on this match, which is a direct elimination match. We know that the South Africa team is solid and quite strong.”
The upcoming match between Bafana Bafana and Cape Verde is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams well aware of what is at stake. Saturday’s match will be a test of skill, discipline, and determination for both teams, as they vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the AFCON tournament. Bafana Bafana is riding high on their recent victory, but they are also mindful of the quality and strengths of their opponents. The stage is set for an intense and thrilling encounter as both teams seek to make history and progress further in the tournament.
Read Original article on SABC
